The Complete Guide to Baby Rotweiler Care and Training

Welcoming a baby Rotweiler into your family is a thrilling experience, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail.

Rotweilers are a breed that thrives on routine and consistency, so establishing a regular schedule for feeding, exercise, and playtime is essential.

As a large breed, baby Rotweilers need plenty of space to move around and stretch their legs.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, but regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are a must to prevent infections.

On a similar theme: Dr Gary's Best Breed Puppy

Introduce your baby's smell to your dog first. This can help your dog get used to your baby's scent before meeting them in person.

My in-laws puppy sat while I was giving birth, and it's a good idea to have a trusted friend or family member watch your dog during this time, especially if they're not familiar with babies.

Let your dog sniff a hat or blanket that your baby has worn, just like my mother-in-law did with her puppy Zeus. This can help your dog associate your baby's scent with something positive.

Teaching your baby to be gentle with your dog is a critical part of their development. This is especially true when it comes to physical interactions like petting or crawling on them.

You can guide your baby's little hands with soft pets and soothing words to teach them how to pet their dog rather than pull on them.

To ensure a smooth first encounter between your dog and baby, consider using a cradle hold. This involves your partner sitting on the ground and cradling the baby while the dog is allowed to sniff and lick them from head to toe.

Having your dog familiarize themselves with your baby's scent beforehand can also be helpful. This can be done by letting the dog smell a hat or clothing item that the baby has worn.

Forcing your dog and baby to spend time together can backfire, so it's best to give them space. This means not making them sit together for extended periods, especially if they're not comfortable with each other.

We've learned that Zeus, our dog, is free to get up and walk away from Pepper, our baby, whenever he wants. And when he does, we make sure Pepper respects his space.

If Zeus comes into Pepper's play-zone, we demand that he be nice and not dominant. This helps Pepper understand that Zeus is a separate entity and not a toy to be played with.

In fact, when Pepper starts to crawl on Zeus, we're right there to guide her little hands with soft pets and soothing words, teaching her to pet him rather than pull on him.

Rocky, the baby Rottweiler, is a curious and playful pup who loves to eat and dominate whatever he grabs.

He's always on the go, whether it's exploring the block or chasing after other animals, and he's not picky about what he eats - practically anything will do.

As a young pup, Rocky has had a few encounters with other dogs, but he's never gotten into a serious fight, although he did have a recent scuffle with a chihuahua that didn't end well for the little dog.

Despite his rough play, Rocky is very friendly and loves to play, making him a great companion for active owners.

His owner takes him on long walks around the block, which is perfect for burning off some of his excess energy, and he even gets to enjoy some grass snacks along the way.

We helped kids learn to share by setting clear expectations and consequences, like in the case of siblings Emma and Max, who were taught to take turns with their toys.

By modeling good behavior, we showed kids that cooperation is key, as seen in the example of the classroom where students worked together to complete a puzzle.

Role-playing helped kids develop social skills, like empathy and communication, which were essential for resolving conflicts, such as the one between friends Olivia and Ava.

We encouraged kids to use "I" statements to express their feelings, like when Timmy said "I feel sad when you take my toy without asking" to his friend.

Positive reinforcement, like stickers and praise, motivated kids to behave well and work together, as seen in the classroom where students earned rewards for sharing and taking turns.

By teaching kids to apologize and make amends, we helped them develop a sense of responsibility and accountability, like in the case of friends Ben and Sam, who made up after a disagreement.

We helped kids develop problem-solving skills by encouraging them to think critically and come up with solutions, like when the class worked together to figure out how to share a limited resource.

By providing opportunities for kids to practice social skills in a safe and supportive environment, we helped them build confidence and develop healthy relationships, as seen in the example of the playgroup where kids learned to cooperate and take turns.

As a new Rottweiler owner, you're probably wondering what you need to do to keep your baby Rottweiler healthy and happy. First and foremost, choose a high-quality dog food that's approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This will ensure your puppy is getting the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Recommended read: What Do Puppys Need

Feeding your Rottweiler the right food at the right time is crucial. A puppy should be fed a puppy food, an adult dog should be fed an adult dog food, and a senior dog should be fed a senior dog food. Don't worry, your veterinarian can help you choose the best food option for your dog.

In addition to a good diet, regular exercise is also essential for your Rottweiler's physical and mental well-being. Start with short walks and playtime, and gradually increase the duration and intensity as your puppy grows.

Here are some general care tips to keep in mind:

Rottweilers are generally quiet, gentle, and calm dogs.

The typical Rottweiler temperament ranges from natural clowns, affectionate to almost everyone, to the very reserved one-person dog.

Each dog is an individual, and breed only makes up about 9% of any dog's overall behavior.

Rottweilers are known to follow their pet parents around the house and desire close companionship.

This natural instinct to be close to their family is a testament to their loyal and loving nature.